A powerful early-season snowfall has left over 375,000 Quebec households without power and forced multiple school closures across the province.
Widespread Disruptions Across the Province
A major early-season snowfall caused significant disruption across Quebec on Tuesday morning, leaving more than 375,600 Hydro-Québec customers without electricity. Heavy, wet snow accumulated overnight in several regions, prompting widespread power outages and impacting daily routines for residents.
Snowfall Totals and Affected Areas
Environment Canada reported up to 35 centimetres of snow in some parts of the province, with around 20 centimetres falling in Montreal. The heaviest snowfall was observed in the Quebec City area and Côte-Nord, where conditions deteriorated rapidly as the storm progressed.
Impact on the Electrical Grid
Hydro-Québec said the combination of wet snow and lingering autumn foliage caused branches to snap and fall onto power lines. Repair crews have been dispatched across the province to remove debris and restore service, with the utility warning that restoration efforts may be prolonged in hard-hit rural regions.
School Closures and Public Response
Multiple school boards announced closures or remote learning arrangements for Tuesday. Boards affected include the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, Riverside School Board, and Centre de services scolaire de Laval. Parents and students were advised to monitor school communications for further updates as conditions evolve.
Weather System Complexity
Meteorologist Maxime Desharnais of Environment Canada highlighted the challenging nature of forecasting this storm. Because temperatures hovered near 0°C, snow accumulation varied significantly between neighbourhoods. Some of the precipitation melted upon contact, making total snowfall amounts difficult to predict until the storm was underway.
What Comes Next
Montreal and surrounding regions are expected to see flurries through Tuesday afternoon, with additional light snowfall possible Wednesday morning before conditions shift to rain. Desharnais noted that November often brings unpredictable swings in weather patterns, emphasizing that early winter storms are not unusual but can still catch residents by surprise.
